The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-01-01


brilliant Christmas trees, a generous
Santa Claus coming down a realistic
chimney, and a pleasing entertainment
were the features of the evening. A very
pleasant episode occurred early in the
evening, when the Superintendent, Hon
Willard Woodland, in the name Of the
congregation of the Church of the Re.
deemer, presented the pastor beautiful
gold watch Of the finest quality. It was
a complete surprise to the pastor, who
had been decoyed to the platform under
the pretended desire of the children to
"hear a word from him." Some of the
classes in the Sunday school conveyed
presents to the children of poor families
on Christmas day.
Blue Island.-The ladies of the Uni
versalist church at Blue Island held a
fair at the Rink Dec. 10, afternoon and
evening. 1t was a success, both socially
and financially, the net proceeds being
$315 %. The ladies Of the parish wish to
express their gratitude to those who
kindly sent donations or assisted in any
other way.
Galesburg.-Rev.L l.. J. Dinsmore, A.
NJ, will lecture at Lombard University
next term beginning Jan. 16, 1887. Five
lectures will be given at the morning chap
ell, Jan. IL, subject, The American Politi-
ii &c No Drsx,, Tn,
situations" Jan. Is, subject, "The Ameri-
can Political System" Theme, "The Gen
eral Government" Jan. 10, "The History
of the Party" Jan. 20, "The Story of the
Anti Slavery Struggle" Jan. 81, "Trium.
plant Democracy" Three lectures will be
given before the Theological School at
$3.50 P. NJ, Jan. 18, 10, and 20, SUBJECTS:
"The Minister in his three Dimensions,
list, The Area of his Intellectual Life;
I'd, the Length of his Social Influence; Sd,
The Depth of his Devotional Life"
OHIO.-Meeting at Miami CITY, On
Tuesday evening, Dec. 81, we closed the
most interesting series of meetings ever
held in this place. On Dec. IL, the meet
ings were conducted by Br. John Rich
ardson. Although the weather was unfav-
orable, yet the meetings increased in
power, interest and numbers to the last.
Br. Richardson proved himself jealous
worker and good speaker, and won gold
en- opinions from all. On the 18th, Br.
J. P. MacLean took charge of the meet
ing. OF these meetings the Daily Trojan
(of Troy, o., of Dec % was moved to
say:
"Our Universalist friends have just
closed series of meetings with crafty
ing results to believers in their faith.
Eight members were added to the church.
We observed what seems to us a change
Of base, or what may be a widening OF
base, that is the teaching of more spiritu-
atty. If our orthodox friends do not
wake up to the fact and employ men with
better requirements than now grace their
pulpits, the churches will lose their accus-
toned prestige, in our vicinity at least.
The Rev. j. P. MacLean, the present
minister, is an intellectual giant, splen-
did scholar and worthy of any mans
steel. The large congregations should
not be believed to be certain evidence OF
the espousal of Universalism so much as
the desire to hear the man who is almost
phenomenal in literary ability. We OBJ
served almost nightly a man in the con-
gregation of we'll balanced notions of
theology which are entirely opposed to
Universalism. We were led to admire
that class OF minds, that are not afraid of
the opposition. Not even afraid to have
the minister take dinner. J"
Br. MacLean took advantage of these
large audiences and showed them the
truth of our doctrines, and in such way
as not to give offence, even to the most
sensitive. On Sunday, Br. MacLean de-
livered the funeral discourse of Sarah
Ellen, daughter of Br. John Abbott, aged
nineteen years, five months and five
days. She was a young lady well known
and beloved by all. We shall all miss
her. The sympathy of the whole COM
munity goes out to the bereaved friends.
1t should be noted that Father Elihu
Moore was present and took part in
every service to the material advantage of
all. May the grand old man long remain
with us! AGONY.